Got an idea for a better mousetrap? Head to Google’s new Patent Search to make sure someone didn’t beat you to it.

The new site not only culls through seven million patents, it also presents you with five random patents you can peruse for your edification and enjoyment. (Who knew that gum-massaging toothbrushes were conceived as far back as 1938?)

Finally, a new Google service that actually deals with searches! Of course, it’s puzzling that you can’t sort the results by date. Hopefully the search king will fix that glaring oversight when Google Patent Search comes out of beta. — Rick Broida